How Do You Calculate the Resultant Force Between Two Vectors?

[oranrene]

Homework Statement

Forces with magnitude of 200 Newtons and 300 Newtons act on a hook. The angle between the two forces is 65°. Find the magnitude of the resultant of these forces. Round your answer to 2 decimal places. (Hint: write the 300 pound force as a vector in the direction of the positive x-axis and the 200 pound force as a vector at an angle of 65° with the positve x-axis.)I'm in college trig and was given this question. I'm confused as to how to go about setting it up (I attached a file indicating the method i was going about it with)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

My guess was to do something like sqrt[(200*sin(65))^2+(300*cos(65))^2]

However, I'm unsure if this would yield a correct answer. Any insight would be greatly appreciated

 

[tiny-tim]

welcome to pf!

hi oranrene! welcome to pf!

(try using the X² icon just above the Reply box )

(Hint: write the 300 pound force as a vector in the direction of the positive x-axis and the 200 pound force as a vector at an angle of 65° with the positve x-axis.)
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My guess was to do something like sqrt[(200*sin(65))^2+(300*cos(65))^2]

(there's no attachment )

follow the hint:

write the two forces as vectors (ie, with x and y components)